Adjustable elbow for meter yoke connections



Sept. 13, 1932. E, REEDY 1,876,751

ADJUSTABLE ELBOW FOR METER YOKE CONNECTIONS Filed Feb. 4, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 13, 1932. REEDY 1,876,751

ADJUSTABLE ELBOW FOR METER YOKE CONNECTIONS Filed Feb. 4. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 13, 1932.

EMMETT. M. REEDY, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MUELLER 00., F DECATUR,

ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS ADJUSTABLE ELBOW FOR IVIETEB YOKE CONNECTIONS Application filed February 4, 1929. Serial No. 337,370.

The present invention relates to an adjustable elbow for meter yoke connections, and its primary object is to provide means for controlling fluid supply, in Combination with means for effecting a fluid-tight joint be tween the elbow and an ad acent meter spud.

Located within the elbow are valve means of the sleeve valve type, wherein the sleeve provides an adjustable connection between the elbow and the meter spud so that when it is desired to remove the meter, and out off the supply, the sleevene'ed only be moved to cover the valve, or port, and its connection with the meter spud will be broken.

The elbow, moreover, is provided with means for supporting the meter yoke, and is constructed to engagein the end member of the yoke so as to prevent tilting of the yoke.

The invention embodies a very simple construction and fulfills a long felt need in its particular field.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the assembly.

Figure 2 is a top plan view with the meter removed. V

' Figure 8 is a sectionalview of the elbow in position.

Figure 4 Figure 8.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 3. i

' As iswell-known the meter is usually carried by a suitable yoke which is indicated is a section on the line 4-4 of at 10, ant which may have various forms,

but which in the present case comprises a casting having curved spaced base bars 11 which terminate at their ends in upstanding end members 12. The end members as shown in Figure 2 are substantially rectangular in cross section, and are provided with rectangular openings. Rece1ved within such openings are the elbows 13 and 14 which are connected to suitable risers 15 and 16, and tothe meter spuds 17 and 18.

The side walls of the end members 12 of the yoke are provided with inteianediate par allel lugs or flanges 20 and 21 spaced from the lugs 19 and arranged above and below the intermediate lugs.

The rear walls of the respective end members are preferably straight and uninterrupted, as indicated at 22.

The'elbow 13 is connected to the riser 15 which, for the purpose of description, will ing threaded connection 24. The casing is provided in its periphery with exteriorparallel longitudinally extending flanges or lugs 25 which, as shown in Figure 4, when the elbow is asembled inthe yoke, are disposed below the intermediate lugs 19 thereof whereby the elbow will serve to support the yoke.

At one end of the casing 23 are formed tangentially extending transverse ribs 26 and 27 as shown in Figure 4. These ribs may extend slightly beyond the periphery of the cylinder 23 and extend rearwardly from the cylinder, as shown in Figure 1, in abutting re lation to the straight wall 22 of the end member, whereby-the elbow is firmly positioned within the end member, and the yoke prevented from rocking. This will be understood when it is observed that the ends of the, respective ribs are in alignment with and but slightly spaced from th e adjacent edges of the lugs or' flanges '20 and 21 of the end member 12 as shown in Figure 4.

In this mannerthe fiat rear edge of each rib will engage the vertical wall of the end member to space the adjacent body portion of the elbow and the connection 24 from the rear wall of the end member while the respective ribs will be in such a position with respect to the flanges 2O and 21 as to overcome, as heretofore stated, the undesirable possibility of movement on the part of the yoke with respect to the elbow. This inter feres with metering, as well as the fluid tight connections, which are requisite.

Disposed within the casing 23 is a bushing 28 which is-th-readed in its solid portion at one end to engage an interiorly threaded portion at one end of the casing, as shown at 29. Thebushing or sleeve may be held fixed by means of a stud or screw 30 extending through the easing into the lower solid portion of the bushing, but this is not essential.

The sleeve or bushing is a hollow member preferably cylindrical in cross sect-ion, and substantially intermediate its ends is provided with an opening 31, or preferably two diametrically disposed openings shown in Figures 3 and 5. It will be noted that the bushing is of less diameter than the casing and that therefore the major extent of its body portion is spaced from the wall of the casing. This serves to define a chamber which will be presently described.

The casing adjacent one end'is provided with an inwardly directed flange 32 for a purpose which will later be described.

The bushing is exteriorly threaded as shown at 33 to receive a hollow interiorly threaded connection34. It will be noted that this connection 34 is adapted to be received in the space between the bushing 28 and the casing 23, and is made of a width to just pass the circular flange 32 in its threaded engagement with the bushing.

The connection 34 at one end is dished or cutaway at 35 and the solid portion of the bushing is correspondingly formed as at 36, whereby when the connection. 34.is threaded upon the bushing inwardly to the limit of itsmovem nt, the seats 35and 36 may be tightly'engaged to form a fluid-tight joint so that any water or fluid which may be lefton the supply side of the meter, cannot escape back into the connection 24 to the riser.

A packing gland 37 is threaded into the casing 23 at one end as shown in Figure 3,

and is disposed between the casing and the adjustable connection 34. Between one end of the packing gland and the flange 32 is interposed a suitable packing 38 so that while the member 34 is adjustable with respect to the elbow, a fluid-tight joint is provided through the medium of the gland and packing.

The connection 34 constitutes a sleeve which communicates with the hollow member 28 and provides an aligned passage therewith to the meter. At its outer end the connection 34 terminates in an enlarged portion 39 from which extend suitable handle members 40, and adjacent the opening at the end of said sleeve the enlarged portion is recessed to receive a suitable packing 41. V

The recess, it will be noted, is of suitable depth, as shown at 42, to permit the meter spud 17 to be received therein, whereby it may be caused to tightly engage the packing 41 to form a firm connection and a fluid-tight joint.

In the operation of the invention, a fluid will enter the elbow 13 from the riser 15 through the connection 24 and will pass thence to a cylindrical chamber 43, defined by the casing, and the circular flange 32 on the one hand and the bushing and connecting sleeve on the other. When the connection 34 is extended as shown in Figure 3, the openings 31 will be uncovered and will be in communication with said chamber, permitting fluid to pass into the bushing and through the passage defined thereby with the connection 34 to the meter.

The connection 34, as will be clear, through its threaded engagement with the bushing 28, may be adjusted to firmly engage the meter spud and provide a fluid-tight connection. This is, of course, essential, and the present invention, it will be noted, combines in said adjustable member, means for controlling fluid passage as well as the fluid-tight joint between the elbow and the meter spud.

When it is desired to cut off the flow of gas or water, as when the meter is being removed, operation of the handles 40 to turn the sleeve 34 will cause it to move inwardly with respect to theelbow and bushing and close the openings 31 in said bushing to thereby shut off the supply oi fluid. At the same time, the joint between the connection and the meter spud will be broken. When the sleeve 34 is at the limit of its inward movement with the seat 36 and cutaway portion 35 in tight engagement, any water or fluid which remains in the passage defined by the bushing and connection will be prevented from returning to the chamber 43 or to the connection 24 back to the source of supply. Thus, not only is the water supply cut off to the meter, but leakage is prevented of any fluid remaining in the outlet side of the elbow. This latter result, of course, is accomplished through the medium of the fiuidtight joint obtained by engagement of the seats 35 and 36.

Connected to the riser 16 is the elbow 14 which has a valve of the ground key type provided with a hollow plug open at its lower end and having an opening at the upper end of the hollow portion which may be turned to register with the open end 18 of the meter spud, the said spud fitting against the opening 45 of the elbow 14. The hollow plug of the elbow 14 may be adjusted by a wrench or key engaging the protruding angular portion of the plug indicated at 46. The casing of this elbow comprises ribs and lugs similar LO the ribs and lugs 25, 26 and 27 as described in connection with the elbow 13, and its engagement with the end member 12 is in the same manner.

In assembling the device, the elbows 13 and 14 are passed into the end members 12 of the yoke and connected to the risers 15 and 16, the said flanges or lugs 25 serving to stipport the yoke in position, and the laterally and longitudinally projecting ribs 26 and 27 acting to prevent tilting of the yoke. The meter is then placed in position with its spud 18 engaging the opening 45 in the elbow 14. Thereupon the connection 34 is moved with respect to the elbow 13 to a position wherein the spud 17 is received in the open end 42 of said connection, and this joint is made fluid tight by moving the sleeve or connection 34 into firm engagement with the spud.

Movement of the connection 3% outwardly to bring about the fluid tight oint with the meter spud will, at the same time, uncover the openings 31 so that a passage is provided 1 through the bushing 28 and connection 34 to the meter. Thereupon the valve in the elbow 14 may be turned to allow the passage of metered fluid to the point of use. 7

It will be observed in Figure that the chamber 43 is substantially cylindrical and communicates directly with the connection 24 which is formed as an integral part of the casing 23. 7

It will also be noted that the inner end of the casing is made solid and recessed in order to receive the solid threaded portion of the bushing 28, the wall of the recess in the casing being, of course, threaded to permit such engagement.

The invention comprises an elbow containing a sleeve valve in which the sleeve acts to control the flow of fluid and at the same time serves as a means for effecting a ti 'ht fiuid joint between the elbow and the meter whereby adjustment is provided for to accent modate the various types of 1 ieters and yokes, and the numerous circumstances which occur in installati ns of this character.

While I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that it is capable of various forms and modifications, all of which are considered to be included within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. 7 I

I claim:

1. An elbow connection for fluid IDQQQPS having inlet and outlet openings, and adjustable means located in said elbow and adjustable at all times to open and close communication through the elbow and adapted toengage a meter spud, said means having threaded engagement with the elbow.

2. An elbow connection for fluid meters comprising an inlet, an adjustable outlet means, said means being adjustably mo *able at all times to open and close communication through the elbow to a meter, and to form a fluid-tight connection with a meter spud, said meansv having threaded connection with the elbow.

8'. An elbow connection for fluid meters comprising an inlet, an outlet means, said means being at all times adjustable to a position with respect to the elbow to form a fluidtight connection between the elbow and a meter spud and to open communication through the elbow to the meter, and being movable to a second position out of engagement with said spud and closing communication through the elbow, said means having threaded connection with the elbow.

4. An elbow connection for fluid meters comprising a body portion having an inlet, a hollow member in said body portion having an opening in communication with said inlet, and an adjustable member having a threaded engagement with said first member and operable at, all times to cover and uncover said opening to control a passage of fluid through the elbow.

5. An elbow connection for fluid meters comprising a body portion having an inlet, a hollow member in said body portion having an opening in communication with said inlet, and an adjustable member having threaded engagement with said first member and operable at all times to cover and uncover said opening to control a passage of fiuid through the elbow, said member being engageable with a meter spud to establish communication through the elbow to the meter.

6. An elbow connection for fluid meters comprising a body portion having an inlet, a hollow member in said body portion having an opening in communication with said inlet, and an adjustable member having threaded engagment with said first member and positively operable at all times'to cover and un cover said opening to control a passage of fluid through the elbow, said member engaging a meter spud and forming a fluid-tight connection between the elbow and the meter when said opening is uncovered.

7. An elbow connection for fluid meters comprising a cylindrical body portion, an inlet, a hollow sleeve located in said body portion and spaced from the wall thereof, openings in said sleeve communicatingrwith said inlet, and a second sleeve member engaging said first member and movable with respect thereto in the space between the first member and the body portion, said members defining a passage communicating with a meter spud, and packing about said movable member.

, 8. An elbow connection for fluid meters comprising a cylindrical body portion, an inlet, a hollow sleeve located in said body portion andspaced from the wall thereof, open- 'ings in said sleeve. communicating with said inlet, and a second sleeve member engaging said first member and movable with respect thereto in the space between the first member and the body portion, said members defining a passage communicating with a meter spud and the movable member being adapted to control passage of fluid through said openings.

9. An elbow connection for fluid meters having a chamber therein, an inlet communi cating with said chamber, an outlet passage from said chamber to a meter, and positively adjustable means controlling the passage of fluid to the meter and forming a fluid-tight joint between said chamber and said passage, said means having threaded engagement with said elbow.

10. An elbow connection for fluid meters having a chamber therein, an inlet communicating with said chamber, said chamber being provided with a seat, an outlet passage from said chamber to the meter, and positively adjustable means controlling the passage of fluid to the meter and engaging said seat to form a fluid-tight joint between said chamber and said passage, said means having threaded engagement with said elbow.

11. An elbow connection for fluid meters comprising a body portion, a hollow member located therein having openings, an inwardly extending portion in said body portion, and a member movable with respect to said hollow member and inwardly extending portion and defining therewith a chamber adapted to com municate with said openings, an inlet communicating with said chamber, said movable member being adapted to control passage of the fluid through said openings.

12. An elbow connection for fluid meters comprising a body portion, hollow member located therein having openings, an inward ly extending portion in said body portion, and a member movable with respect to said hollow member and inwardly extending portion and defining therewith a chamber adapted to communicate with said openings, an inlet communicating with said chamber, said movable member being adapted to control passage of the fluid through said openings, and forming a passage from said hollow member to said meter.

13. An elbow connection for fluid meters having an inlet, a hollow member closed at one end and located in said elbow, said hollow member having a portion of its wall spaced from the wall or" the elbow, an internal projection on the elbow, and sleeve movable with respect to said elbow and defining with said hollow member and projection a chanr her having communication with said inlet, openings in said hollow member adapted to have communication with said chamber, said sleeve being adapted to open and close communication through said openings and torning with said hollow member an aligned passage adaptedto have communication with a meter, the sleeve in one position uncovering said openings and forming a fluid-tight oint with a meter spud.

14. An elbow connection for fluid meters having an inlet, ahollow member closed at one end and located in said elbow, said hollow member having a portion of its wall spaced from the wall of the elbow, an internal projection on the elbow, and a sleeve movable with respect to said elbow and defining with said hollow member and projection a chamher having communication with said inlet, openings in said hollow member adapted to have communication with said chamber, said sleeve being adapted to open and close communication through said openings and forming with said hollow member an aligned passage adapted to have communication with a meter, the sleeve being extensible with respect to the elbow and having means for forming a fluid-tight joint with a meter spud.

15. An elbow connection for fluid meters having an inlet, a hollow member closed at one end and located in said elbow, said hollow member having openings adapted to have communication with said inlet and having a portion of its wall spaced from the wall of the elbow, a sleeve engaging said hollow member and movable with respect thereto, said sleevetorming an aligned passage with said hollow member adapted to have communication with a meter spud, and means at one end of the sleeve for receiving a meter spud, said sleeve being adjustable to control passage through said openings, and forming a fluid-tight oint witl said meter spud.

16. An elbow connection for fluid meters 7 having an inlet, a hollow member closed at one end and secured in said elbow, said hollow member having a portion of its wall spaced from the wall of the elbow and threaded, an internal projection on the elbow, an internally threaded sleeve engaging the threaded portion of the hollow member and movable with respect to said elbow, said sleeve, hollow member, and projection defining a chamber having communication with said inlet, the chamber being provided with a seat, and the movable sleeve being provided with a corresponding seat, openings in said hollow member adapted to have communication with said chamber, said sleeve being adapted to open and close communication through said openings, and the said seats being adapted to form a fluid-tight joint to prevent passage of fluid from the hollow memher to the chamber when said penings are closed, the sleeve and hollow member forming an aligned passage adapted to have communication with a meter, and the sleeve being extensible with respect to the elbow and provided at one end with a packed recess whereby a fluid-tight joint may be formed with a meter spud.

In testimony whereor I have hereunto set my hand.

EMMETT M. REEDY. 

